Bhubaneswar, 25 March (H.S.): The Odisha government is extending support to a significant number of handloom weavers and cooperative societies in western districts of the state, Minister for Textiles, Handlooms & Handicrafts Pradeep Bal Samanta informed.

Responding to a query raised by MLA Sagar Charan Das, the Minister stated that a total of 65,353 registered handloom weavers and 153 primary weavers’ cooperative societies (PWCS) are currently operational across Bargarh, Balangir, and Subarnapur districts.

Highlighting government initiatives, the Minister said that several cooperative societies in the region have received financial and marketing assistance under various schemes. In Bargarh district, 10 PWCS received financial support of Rs 403.56 lakh during 2024–25, while another 10 societies were granted Rs 92.17 lakh in 2025–26 under the 10% Rebate scheme.

In Balangir, no societies availed assistance during 2024–25; however, three PWCS received Rs 2.72 lakh in 2025–26 under the same scheme. In Subarnapur, five PWCS received Rs 0.94 lakh in 2024–25, and four societies were provided Rs 1.91 lakh in 2025–26 under the 10% Rebate scheme. Additionally, 12 PWCS in Subarnapur benefited from Rs 2.165 lakh under the Marketing Incentive/Market Development Assistance (MI/MDA) scheme in 2024–25.

Overall, a total of 27 primary weavers’ cooperative societies received financial assistance amounting to Rs 406.665 lakh under various schemes, aimed at strengthening the handloom sector and improving the livelihoods of weavers in the region.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda